When Robert, Peter and I got together to discuss this little rag,
we were all responding to an unfulfilled need for non-dogmatic
discussion of issues we're all interested in. That is: Paranormal
phenomena, UFOs, fortean studies, the occult, and belief systems. To
varying degrees, we feel that there is a common thread running
through these areas, a tenuous cloth which has been largely ignored
by various periodicals and groups which concern themselves with these
subjects. Some of the titles we "threw up " for discussion will give
an idea of our thinking:

COSMIC COOKIE

BELOW TOP SECRET

SIMONTON'S PANCAKE

ANOMALOMANIACS

FLYING SAUCERS AND THE THREE MEN

MAGONIANS ANONYMOUS

A few of the phrases on the list should convey our sense of humor.
Anyone who wishes to deal seriously with the weird (and I do mean in
a non-arm chair way) would do well to have or develop the ability to
laugh about it all when the going gets too damn weird. Laughter seems
the best "banisher" to keep the way-out-worlders at bay. Another
sanity-saving technique is that old standby--(healthy) skepticism. By
this we do not mean a pathological need to reject everything that
doesn't fit into your philosophy...only to keep an open mind in the
broadest sense.

My personal problem (or blessing) is a complete lack of filtering
apparatus when receiving information. Unfortunately, this is coupled
with deficient retention skills, which necessitates a tape recorder
at all interviews. This is most pronounced in conversation. A person
could inform me that, secretly they were the Prince of the Pleiades,
and at that moment, I would accept it as a perfectly normal to say.
After walking away/ driving home/ etc., the "what the hell ?" reaction takes over, but the initial impression remains. This leads
to a wonderful way of jumping between the believe/don't believe that
excites all of us (the editors).

Based on that, here is a guiding principle (so called) that will
steer the editorial policy of The Excluded Middle: Accept and/or
reject. Argue until the Rapture carries us all away, but always be
prepared to steep in other points of view for awhile. Believe in both
or all, but never reject anything out of hand...UNLESS IT REALLY
ANNOYS YOU!

Still wondering what "excluded middle" means? Consider the
language of computers--binary--meaning on or off. Real humans must
learn to reject the dichotomous, Aristotelian thought of the last
2000 years as apocryphal, and reconsider it as the only way of
reaching solutions. The political posturing prevalent in this country
illustrates this only too well. We don't have to be milquetoasts just
because we listen past our personal shells. It's a razor's edge to
walk, but it's all too easy and unprofitable to cling to old
paradigms. The Excluded Middle bridges the on/off yes/no
believe/don't believe chasm. Peter, Robert, and I are trying to build
and walk that bridge. Join us.